Gulf countries slam Washington stand

Both the Gulf Cooperation Council and the Organization of Islamic Cooperation countries have lamented the U.S. veto of the United Nations Security Council resolution demanding an immediate humanitarian cease-fire in Gaza, seeing it as defying growing international appeals for peace.

On Tuesday, the Security Council failed to adopt the resolution — put forth by Algeria — which also demanded the immediate and unconditional release of all hostages, as well as unhindered humanitarian access.

The Gulf Cooperation Council spokeswoman and Qatar's Permanent Representative to the UN Ambassador Alya Ahmed Saif Al Thani said the GCC countries — the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Oman, Kuwait and Qatar — expressed regret, calling Algeria's draft "humanitarian" in content and consistent with international humanitarian law.

"Our countries will continue their efforts along with partners to ensure reaching a cease-fire in the Gaza Strip, in order to spare the blood of our Palestinian brothers and to ensure the arrival of more humanitarian and relief aid to the Strip and to protect civilians," Al Thani was quoted as saying by the Saudi Press Agency.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Saudi Arabia warned of the deteriorating humanitarian situation in Gaza as well as the escalation of military operations "that threaten international peace and security".

"The escalation does not serve any efforts, calling for a dialogue and a peaceful solution to the Palestinian (question) in accordance with the relevant international resolutions," the statement said.

In a post on X, formerly Twitter, the UAE's Permanent Mission to the UN said it "is deeply disappointed with the outcome" of the vote on the humanitarian cease-fire draft resolution, which it noted was supported by 13 of the 15 members.

'No end in sight'

"After more than four months of carnage and no end in sight, this war must end," it said.

According to the UN, the Security Council resolutions are legally binding. If the Council cannot reach a consensus or a passing vote on a resolution, it may choose to produce a nonbinding presidential statement instead of a resolution.

"Now that the U.S. has taken this unfortunate position at the UN Security Council, the average person in the Gulf expects the U.S. to press Israel not to carry out its threatened assault on Rafah," Jasim Husain, a Gulf analyst and former member of Bahrain's parliament, told China Daily.

"Also, people here want the U.S. to ensure no fighting during the fasting month of Ramadan," he added.

Meanwhile, in a statement on Wednesday, the 57-member Organization of Islamic Cooperation said it "regrets deeply" the U.S.' use of veto against the Security Council draft resolution, describing it as "a negative reflection of the Security Council's role in the maintenance of international peace and security, protection of civilians and ensuring delivery of humanitarian aid to the Gaza Strip".

Furthermore, it renewed its call on the international community, particularly the UN Security Council, to "assume its responsibilities "and "take urgent measures" to stop the conflict in the Gaza Strip, now more than four months old.